This is the
season when Chennai faces a deluge of dancers from around the globe. Young
aspirants to the legendary city's stages to show off their year long learning
and cultural acumen throng the city's sabhas and attempt to dazzle rasikas
with their "authentic" and "true classicism." Shadowing this growing group
are the fond mothers and fathers – anxious to display the result of many
years of "guru dakshina" and endless chauffering to weekend dance classes.

Sathya Nagarajan
is one such mother. Pleasant, determined and very proud of her daughter
Nithya. Living in oil rich Kuwait, Sathya's daughter Nithya is a B.Com
student in MOP Vaishnav College in Chennai and loves dance like thousands
of her NRI generation.

Nithya began
her Margazhi dance season on December 2, 2008 with the first in a series
of Bharatanatyam performances. Performed at the historic Mylapore Fine
Arts auditorium, she was accompanied by veteran musicians – Lalitha Ganapathy
(guru on nattuvangam), Bhagyalakshmi (vocal), Saktivel (mridangam), Srinivasan
(flute) and Sikhamani (violin).

Nithya began
tentatively with the Mallari in Gambeeranattai but quickly warmed up to
the venue and occasion, her youth and agility communicating with the audience.
Her bhava delineations in veteran critic late Subbudu's popular Varnam
"Annamae Aruginil Va" in Valaji as a lament by Deivayanai opposed to Lord
Muruga's pursuits with Valli, extolled the grandeur of the composition.
Nithya neatly captured the traits and majesty of Lord Ganesha's walk and
gait.

In
the 'friend-to-friend' exchanges on gossips, "Adhuvum Solluvaal" in Saurashtram,
Nithya's gestures were delightful with varied interpretations.

The final dance
showed imaginative use of space. This is where Nithya really came into
her own with confidence and clarity of movements. The Kalinganardhana Thillana
in Gambeeranattai (an Aruna Sairam masterpiece), was the apt prism for
Nithya who symbolized an entire generation of young girls who are reaching
towards their homeland through Bharatanatyam and for who, this classical
dance style has become a bridge to the land of their forefathers.

What made the
evening a pleasant viewing experience was the intelligent programming and
taut duration of each item, never prolonging one moment or one song to
ennui.

Nithya Nagarajan
did her parents proud. She also reaffirmed her own love of the dance that
shone through her performance and unflagging energy.

PVS Manian
was a former Hony. Editor of Metro Mail and is a Coordinator, PRO, Advisor
to Delhi foundation of deaf women.